Loebsack Statement on Farm Bill Vote

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted on a split version of the Farm Bill. Loebsack has consistently fought to move a Farm Bill forward that can be signed into law. Last month, he joined the Iowa delegation, and was one of only 24 Democrats, to support the complete House version of the Farm Bill, which was voted down. He also introduced in the House the bipartisan farm bill legislation that recently passed the Senate with the support of both Senators Harkin and Grassley.

“It is unconscionable that the dysfunction of Republicans in the House has led to this highly partisan legislation that does not provide the support our farmers and rural communities deserve. There has been a coalition of agriculture and nutrition groups that have worked together for decades to pass a Farm Bill. The House Republicans’ decision to split the bill is about Washington politics, not getting a farm bill done. The decision to put partisan politics ahead of farmers is opposed by agriculture advocates including both Iowa Senators, Harkin and Grassley, and the American Farm Bureau, along with a group of 530 agriculture and rural development organizations, who have all expressed opposition to moving a split bill.

“I have been fighting to get a bipartisan Farm Bill signed into law. We have to move this process forward and pass a bill that can go to conference with the Senate and be signed into law. This legislation does not move the bill forward; it is in fact a step back. The House needs to do its job and pass a long term Farm Bill. The continued partisan games will only continue to further delay the enactment.”